Yellow Advertiser, Wednesday, April 22, 2009
ALTHOUGH the Southend Airport, (JAAP), consultation period has been extended to May 15, it now appears that some significant expansion of Southend Airport os more than likely; regardless of the final report.
This is particularly so in view of the reported ‘positive’ comments from Planning Councillor Anna Waite and airport director Alistair Welch.
However, affected residents should be contacting their own councillors and other relevant authorities to put pressure on the airport/council/Stobart Group to confirm that adequate/full compensation will be provided to any properties subjected to ‘Flight Blight’, which may well prevent the sale for any realistic price in the foreseeable future.
The council should be placed in a position whereby it pressurises the Stobart Group into undertaking prior compensation guarantees on an individual claim basis.
The Stobart Group could then make adequate provision for these costs within their overall budget, as they are a commercial organisation whose prime aim is profit.
It is only fair and proper that blighted properties are compensated for any loss of value as this residential area (Eastwood/Leigh), has been encouraged for development over the past 40 years; following the previous airport expansion rejection in 1966.
If the economic benefits of this current full expansion will bring so much wealth to the town, then it is only right that this is shared with the affected community.
This then keeps everybody happy as the council gets its prosperity from the expansion scheme and residents have the option of moving to a more desirable area, without any cost to the ratepayer.
The Uttlesford District already severely suffers this situation within a five-mile radius due to the proposed Stansted expansion plans and potential compensation claims have suffered extensive delays, which are always inevitable if not agreed in advance.
It should also be noted that if the projected minimum flight patterns are realised, (two million plus passengers per year equals approx 3,000 additional traffic movements every day), then extensive additions would be required to the inadequate road network.
This would result in further properties, currently outside the immediate flight path, subject to road blight with the unknown prospect of future compulsory purchases.
Perhaps residents of Rayleigh/Hockley/Benfleet/Hadleigh should be a little less complacent. Remember that the only current viable access to the airport is from the West.
Overall, this would become a nightmare situation in the many years ahead while the council stumbles on with its ill conceived plans.
We need to consider the long-term consequences of this development for all concerned and not just self interested groups.
Brent L Wheatley
Neil Armstrong Way
(Eastwood resident and
Southend Office)
Wake up to reality
IT seems that at last, most people accept the evidence about Global Warming, and the inevitable, disastrous climate change.
Apparently we all want to save the planet, as long as the actions required to save it do not interfere with our short sighted desire for expansion of our local airports, our overseas holidays and downsizing our gas guzzling cars.
Are we really prepared to sacrifice our children and grandchildren’s future on this planet, for the selfish and greedy demands of today?
There will be no point in expressing regret in 2020 because we failed to take the threat of Global Warming seriously in 2009.
It will be too late. We cannot put the clock back, it will not help to say, “If only I had my time over again.”
Wake up to reality, folks.
Trevor Jones
Broadclyst Gardens,
Southend
Airport can only be good for Southend
I, FOR one, would like to see Southend Airport take off. it can only be good for Southend.
The people who are objecting, have they ever been to other regional airports like Southampton and London City and spoken to the local people? I have.
So good luck to the airport and I wish it every success.
There are controls in place so it will never be a London Heathrow mark two.
Brian Clarke
Tickfield Avenue, Southend